Bathroom Bill passes Texas Senate
Senate Bill 3, also known as the “Bathroom Bill,” passed the Texas Senate Tuesday despite much opposition.
Lawmakers and police officials from El Paso, and around the state, rallied against SB 3 ahead of the vote. Their comments in front of the Capitol in Austin were posted on YouTube via the group Keep Texas Open For Business.
El Paso Democrat Rep. Joe Moody said Senate Bill 3 sidelines more important issues.
“That’s what happens to good public policy,” said Moody. “Because of nonsense like the Bathroom Bill.”
Many Republicans cite privacy, and safety as the driving factors behind the bill.
“Men don’t, don’t, don’t belong in women’s restrooms,” said Brenham Republican Sen. Lois Kolkhorst
Jose Rodriguez, Democrat state senator from El Paso, said he agrees that men shouldn’t be in the women’s restroom.
“But we’re not talking about men who go into the women’s bathroom,” said Rodriguez. “We’re talking about transgender individuals.I think we ought to throw the book at those men who go into women’s bathrooms”
Sylvia Aguilar, El Paso County chief deputy sheriff, said she opposes discrimination, and the laws “cannot possibly” be good for law enforcement.
“In my entire time in dedicating myself to public service, I have never heard of this type of crime happening in a bathroom,” said Aguilar.
Republican House Speaker Joe Straus said SB 3 is bad for Texas businesses, siding with big-name business like Apple and Amazon.
Senate Bill 3 now moves to the Texas House for a vote.
